NEW YORK (October 24, 2013) -- Commissioner Gary Bettman today upheld the 10-game suspension that was assessed t oBuffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta by the Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head o fColumbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson in NHL Game No. 49 in Buffalo on October 10.

Commissioner Bettman heard Kaleta's appeal of the original decision, assessed Oct. 15, at a hearing in New York on Monday.

Kaleta is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $152,439.00. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 3:08 of the first period.

Read Bettman's complete ruling here.